Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for addressing the problems of over a million Indian workers after that country adopted a new labour policy.
“…I would like to record my appreciation for the work of the (India’s) Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs as also the government of kingdom of Saudi Arabia for successfully addressing the challenges that more than one million Indian workers faced following changes in Saudi Arabia’s labour policies,” he said here while addressing the inaugural session of the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual gathering of the people of Indian origin.
The new Nitaqat or Saudisation policy in that Gulf nation makes it mandatory for all Saudi companies to reserve 10 percent of jobs for Saudi nationals.
Following the implementation of the policy, Saudi authorities granted a six-month grace period last year for all expatriates to either rectify their residency status or leave the country.
Earlier this month, Saudi Labour Minister Adel bin Mohammed Fakeih had said that the Nitaqat policy had affected only a small percentage of Indians and that 400,000 of them in the kingdom had corrected their work status, becoming legal and welcome workers.
Addressing the media here on January 02, Fakeih also said that the kingdom has issued more than one million work visas, including many to the Indian community.
There are around 2.8 million expatriate Indians in Saudi Arabia, a large number of whom are blue collar workers.
French is their mother tongue and they have been born and lived for four generations far away from India, but a thirst to know more about the land where their forefathers came from draws them to India regularly.
Armoudom Lena, an orthodontist from Reunion Islan, is heading the Indian delegation at the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the largest gathering of Indian diaspora that opened here Tuesday.
Reunion Island is a small French island in the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius. The Indian-origin population comprises 45 percent of the people on the island that has a population of over 837,000 inhabitants.
“We are the most important Indian community in France,” Lena said in an interview here.
Lena, who has come with her son and other Indian members, said the visit to PBD is aimed to help strengthen links with “Mother India”.
“We want the young people to strengthen links with Mother India and our country of adoption. We want to share our experiences from abroad.”
“France is a country of human rights and we have good education. I think we can share our experiences,” said Lena, adding that they are also keen to find out about investing in India.
“There are many people who can invest in India in fields like environment and recycling of water,” said Lena, a fourth generation Indian.
Among the problems Lena said she faces while in India is language, as they are French speaking with halting knowledge of English. The other is of passports for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), she said.
Asked which part of India her forefathers hailed from, Lena said she was told by an Indian minister that “maybe I come from Kerala. I am the fourth generation immigrant”.
Her son Sanjay Armoudom is studying law. Sanjay said he wants to meet more youth in India, including more from the Indian diaspora.
“In India we share the same facial features, not like where I grew up. I feel familiar here, and also a little lost,” said Sanjay.
With the Lok Sabha election just a few months away every party is trying its best to woo voters. While some parties are making promises to improve governance some others have announced several welfare schemes to attract voters. On the other hand, Brian Miranda Congress corporator from Vakola had alleged that Congress MP Priya Dutt has not carried out any developmental work in her constituency. He made this statement after visiting the BMC ground at Kalina for having a look at the deteriorating situation of the ground. Miranda also added that leaders like Priya have become useless for the Congress party.
Miranda alleged that Priya Dutt had never interacted with the common man to know about the problems faced by him. After becoming a MP Priya has visited her constituency only few times. Since the general election is just round the corner Priya might appear before the masses in her constituency to show that she is working for their welfare.
Expressing his displeasure over the functioning of Priya Dutt, Brian Miranda said, “Priya Dutt was never keen to work for the development of her constituency. According to me, Priya is not utilising the funds efficiently. As an MP, it’s her responsibility to resolve the issue faced by the people in her constituency. However, she is not fulfilling her responsibility.”
Miranda also claimed that people belonging to Priya Dutt’s constituency is unaware about her. People are unable to meet her as she remains inaccessible to the common man.
“I am a Congress corporator but even I had to struggle a lot to meet her Priya as she remains inaccessible. Being a corporator if I am finding it difficult to meet Priya then how will the common man be able to meet her? People belonging to Priya’s constituency have to wait for hours to meet her. Thus people are unable to meet the legislator elected by them” Brian Miranda further added.
Brian Miranda along with Priya Dutt had come into limelight during the BMC election. Two groups were formed from Ward No 84 between Kripashankar Singh and Priya Dutt for nominating candidates for the BMC election.
Kripashankar Singh had nominated Brian Miranda, while Dutt and her supporters proposed the name of another candidate. Finally the issue was sorted out and tickets were allocated to Brian Miranda.
Cold weather, with its low relative humidity, wreaks havoc on our skin, making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it’s deprived of moisture and this dryness often aggravates itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as ‘winter itch’.
Here are 10 tips to prevent the winter itch:
1. Apply cream-based moisturiser to wet skin
Petrolatum or cream-based moisturizers are far better than lotions for normal to dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose a moisturiser without fragrance or lanolin. Apply moisturiser directly to your wet skin after bathing to ensure that the moisturizer can help to trap surface moisture.
2. Cleanse your skin, but don’t overdo it
Too much cleansing removes the skin’s natural moisturisers. It is enough to wash your face, hands, feet, and between the folds of your skin once a day. While you can rinse your trunk, arms and legs daily, it is not necessary to use soap or cleanser on these areas every day
3. Limit the use of hot water
If you have winter itch, take short lukewarm showers or baths with a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser. Immediately afterward, apply a thick cream or a petroleum-jelly-type moisturiser. Gently pat skin dry.
4. Humidify
Dry air can pull the moisture from your skin. Room humidifiers can be very beneficial. However, be sure to clean the unit and change the water according to the manufacturer’s instructions to reduce mold and fungi.
5. Protect yourself from the wind
Cover your face and use a petrolatum-based balm for your lips
6. Avoid extreme cold.
Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite in some people. See a doctor immediately if you develop colour changes in your hands or feet accompanied by pain or ulceration. If you develop extreme pain followed by loss of sensation in a finger or toe, you may have frostbite.
7. Protect your skin from the sun.
Remember that winter sun can also be dangerous to the skin. Even in the winter months you should use a sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of 15 or greater if you will be outdoors for prolonged periods. Overexposure to sunlight can lead to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.
8. Avoid winter tanning.
Tanning beds and artificial sunlamps are always damaging to your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. If you want to keep your summer glow, use self-tanners along with extra moisturiser as self-tanners can also dry out your skin.
9. Take vitamin D supplements.
During the summer months your natural vitamin D production increases due to daily sun exposure, but when winter rolls around that exposure decreases. Taking vitamin supplements can ensure that you are getting the recommended amounts of vitamin D all year.
10.See your dermatologist.
If you have persistent dry skin, scaling, itching, skin growths that concern you or other rashes, see your dermatologist — not only in winter but throughout the year.
66-year-old Ganguly had refused to make any comments, after his resignation as Chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct with a law intern has been accepted. The panel had held that the statement of the intern, both written and oral, had prima facie disclosed “an act of unwelcome behaviour (unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature)” by the judge with her in the Le Meridien hotel room in Delhi on December 24, 2012.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written twice to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking urgent action against the retired judge. The Union Cabinet among other things had taken into account the Chief Minister’s communication to the President. Like other victims (ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan, Justice Balakrishnan, God knows how many more) by the time Justice Ganguly proves his innocence, the damage will be done.I’m just wondering, if this is what happens to a person like Mr.Ganguly,what cannot be done to an ordinary person? God know how these RAPE and MOLESTATION terms are being taken advantage of by the victims. Look at AasaramBapu, nothing is proven against him but still he is in jail. There is no mechanism to prove allegations in such cases; however, Justice Ganguly handed over his resignation, four days after the Union Cabinet met and decided to make a Presidential reference to the Supreme Court for his removal from the post as mandated under the Human Rights Commission Act. Ever since the scandal broke in November, the former apex court judge had refused to step down even after a three-judge committee of the Supreme Court had indicted him.
Justice Ganguly has denied the allegations of the law intern and blamed “powerful interests” of trying to tarnish his image due to certain judgements delivered by him. Justice Ganguly did not attend office on Tuesday. So many legislators and MPs have several murder/extortion/abduction cases pending against them and still continue in office. When will they all resign? It proves that rule of law is violated at highest level like 2G scam, coal allocation etc. Please note that the woman filed the complaint after one complete month after the said incident- it proves how money has changed hands to remove an uncomfortable judge. Let us judge where we are leading.
Somewhere I read a beautiful comment, which says as an arbitrator, Justice Ganguly had given the verdict against football club MohunBagan. Now, let’s connect the dots. Trinamool MP SrinjayBasu is MohunBagan’s vice president. It’s a well-known fact that Mamata Banerjee and Justice Ganguly are at loggerheads. Justice Ganguly had rapped the Mamta Govt. on numerous occasions/imposed heavy penalties for branding people Maoists and throwing them behind bars because they dared to question her in public! One case in point is a small farmer from Midnapore named ShiladityaChaudhury. MohunBagan wrote a letter to All India Football Federation to reconsider the 1 crore fine after the molestation charges came to light, saying the verdict of an immoral judge should be reviewed! Now you know why it took 1 year for the lady to level charges against Justice Ganguly. This is a dirty-game being played by TMC to malign Justice Ganguly and get rid of him. The Supreme Court has given its verdict in haste without considering the merit of the PIL.What happens if after complete investigation, Justice Ganguly is found not guilty? Will any action be taken against those for false fabrication of charges? Otherwise anybody could foist case against anybody which is detrimental to fair Administration.
That justice Ganguly, who is under scanner, dips his head under political sand is not unexpected. The questions he raised initially, viz, the constitutional validity of the panel, non- receipt of complaint, his explanation not being heard , his defiance to step down, and above all, his bid to take shelter under political bias and conspiracy, all have exposed the hollowness in his defense. The boat through which he hopes to cross the river of controversies is fraught with holes. It is unlikely that his whining may earn him any sympathy. His once renowned legal acumen, which booked the offenders with no fear or favour, is looked upon with scorn now. His sharp arsenal which once protected the national loss and injustices unfortunately injures the modesty of women. Character is what you are in dark and the bright antecedents of the once revered justice isfailing to show him light now. Moreover, there are many young interns exploited by senior lawyers, asking sexual favours to help in one’s career is a routin practice.In this particular profession, there is no retirement age and sustenance becomes challenge for new comers, they fall prey to all sort of ill practices. In a way this incident has raised alarm, to other woman those getting exploited here. In most of the cases, honest judges get victimised in political vendetta. Hoping for truth to prevail and former justice to get justice……….
Nowadays, discussions are held on social networking sites about RSS and BJP. Congress party workers have been questioning the ideology of RSS and also are attacking the organization on twitter. Congress worker, Amaresh Misra had asked ten questions to RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav and our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin about RSS’s past and activities undertaken by it.Vaidehi Sachinreplied to the questions asked byAmaresh Misra.
1) Is RSS’ Hindu Rashtra ideology compatible with the Indian Constitution?
Hindu Rashtra – This ideology has become the cornerstone of the political and religious agendas of modern Hindu nationalist bodies like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Hindutva political demands include revoking Article 370 of the Constitution that grants a special semi-autonomous status to the Muslim-majority state of Kashmir, adopting a uniform civil code, thus ending a special legal framework for Muslims. These particular demands are based upon ending laws that Hindu nationalists consider as offering special treatment to Muslims.
An important influence upon Hindu realisation arises, this described India as a Hindu Rashtra, a Hindu nation. An important influence upon Hindu consciousness arises from the time of Islamic empires in India. Entering the 20th century, Hindus formed over 75 per cent of the population and thus unsurprisingly the backbone and platform of the nationalist movement. Modern Hindu thinkers desired to unite Hindu society across the boundaries of caste, linguistic groups and ethnicity. In 1925, K.B. Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Nagpur, Maharashtra, which grew into the largest civil organisation in the country, and more potent, mainstream base of Hindu nationalism. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar coined the term Hindutva for his ideology that described India as a Hindu Rashtra, a Hindu nation. Hindu Rashtra is demand of Hindus as they have only one country. Muslims, Christians and other religions have choice to settle in foreign countries based on their ideologies and following these religions. “Hindustan” is the country which belongs to Hindus and calling it Hindu Rashtra is fundamental demand and right of every Hindu. RSS played a great role in guarding Hindu Dharma.
2. Didn’t Guru Golwalkar oppose granting voting rights to Dalits/tribals?
Guru Golwakar was very much liberal and always believed in reform. It is appropriate to deal with the question; ‘Are Tribals Hindus?’ The Congress minds always divided tribals making them believe that they are not Hindus. During the revival of Hindu fundamentalism, the Sangh Parivar left no stone unturned to make others believe that the Tribals are Hindus and opposed mass conversion. Many argued saying on the basis of religious, cultural, and legal considerations, tribals are not Hindus. The Hindus have scriptures like the Srutis, Smritis, the Epics, the Puranas and Darshanas. However, the RSS has always said that tribals and Dalits, Hindu should get equal voting rights. Congress was forcing them to get converted to Christianity or Islam. It’s the RSS who let those tribals live with their own beliefs.
3. Memoirs of Rajeshwar Dayal, ICS: Evidence of British-Golwalkar communal tie-up exists. Your take on it?
When Sardar Patel suggested to Golwalkar that the RSS should join the Congress, the RSS supremo opposed saying, the two should work separately and “converge”. The first Home Secretary of UP, Rajeshwar Dayal, has in his autobiography, A Life of Our Times, told this story about Golwalkar and Congress stalwart, Govind Ballabh Pant, UP’s longest serving Chief Minister and Union Home Minister from 1955 to 61. When communal tension in UP was high, Dayal carried incontrovertible evidence to Pant about Golwalkar’s plans to create a “communal holocaust in western UP”. Pant was convinced but he would not permit them to arrest the RSS chief. In fact, Golwalkar was allowed to escape, having been duly tipped off.”On January 30, 1948 when Gandhi, the Supreme Apostle of Peace was gunned down by an RSS fanatic,” Dayal concludes: “The tragic episode left me sick at heart”. While praying, would they “converge” when Hindu Rastra has been achieved?
4. Did RSS etc oppose Nehru’s progressive measure of giving women their due property share?
The Nehru administration succeeded in passing four Hindu code bills in 1955–56: the Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act, Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, and Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act. These laws continue to be controversial till date among women, religious, and nationalist groups. While there may be a permanence of certain fundamental beliefs about the nature of life that is pervasive through Hinduism, Hindus as a group are highly non-homogenous. As Derrett says in his book on Hindu law, “We find the Hindus to be as diverse in race, psychology, habitat, employment and way of life as any collection of human beings that might be gathered from the ends of the earth.” The Dharmasastra—the textual authority on matters of marriage, adoption, the joint family, minorities, succession, religious endowments, and caste privileges—has often been seen as the private law of the Hindus. However, whatever is known and interpreted about this Hindu law is a jumble of rules, often inconsistent and incompatible with one another, that are lacking in uniformity. This is Nehru who said some Hindu groups opposed the bill but there is no mention about RSS opposing such bills. Every Hindu organisation can’t be labelled as RSS.
5. Wasn’t Godse trying to pass off as a Muslim when he killed Gandhi?
Godse approached Gandhi on January 30, 1948 during the evening prayer at 5:15 pm. When Godse bowed, one of the girls flanking and supporting Gandhi, Abha Chattopadhyay, said to Godse, Bapu is already late” and tried to put him off, but he pushed her aside and shot Gandhi in the chest three times at point-blank range with a Beretta M 1934 semi-automatic pistol. Gandhi was taken to Birla House, where he passed away. Godse himself called police and surrendered without fleeing, later he was hanged at Ambala Jail on November 15, 1949. Your question is quite irrelevant.
6. Idols in Ayodhya Ram temple were kept by communal forces in 1948? Patel opposed it?
It’s incorrect and utter lie. Ayodhya is claimed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. Archeological Survey of India (ASI), after conducting excavations at the site reported that prior to 1528, filed a report which stated that a temple stood at this site before the arrival of Mughals who constructed Babri Mosque at its present site. Critics of the report claim that the “presence of animal bones throughout as well as of the use of ‘surkhi’ and lime mortar” that was found by ASI are all characteristics of Muslim presence, which they claim “rule out the possibility of a Hindu temple existing there beneath the mosque.
From 1528 to 1992, this was the site of the Babri Mosque. The mosque was razed in 6 December 1992 by a mob of some 150,000 nationalist Hindus supported by the nationalists. Nobel Laureate novelist V. S. Naipaul has praised Hindu nationalists for “reclaiming India’s Hindu heritage”.
Naipaul added that the destruction of Babri structure was an act of historical balancing and the reclaiming of the Ram Janmabhoomi was a “welcome sign that Hindu pride was re-asserting itself”.
The 1986 edition of the Encyclopedia ‘Britannica’ stated that “Rama’s birthplace is marked by a mosque, erected by the Moghul Emperor Babar in 1528 on the site claimed of an earlier temple. Archaeological excavations at the site by the Archeological Survey of India reported the existence of a 10th-century temple.
“The report stated that scientific dating indicated human activity at the site as far back to the 17th century BC. On 30 September 2010, Allahabad High Court ruled that the 2.7 acres disputed land in Ayodhya, on which the Babri Masjid stood before it was demolished on 6 December 1992, will be divided into three parts, the site of the Ramlala idol to Lord Ram, Nirmohi Akhara gets Sita Rasoi and Ram Chabutara, Sunni Wakf Board gets a third.
7. RSS was responsible for the break-up of the anti-Congress Janata Party? Wasn’t it?
What is anti-Congress Janata party? Split – was not based on ideology or political concepts. RSS was never engaged in or encouraged such practices. Janata party’s political survival appears to have been their sole motive.
Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, who virtually started the Janata Dal’s tilt towards the BJP-led front during the last Lok Sabha elections when he accepted the support of the Akali Dal, a constituent of the NDA, maintained a neutral stance, although he is believed to be in agreement with the minority group.
The split was preceded by hectic discussions and maneuvers spread over three days, aimed at working out a compromise. These efforts, however, failed; since July 21, each side has claimed that it is the “real” Janata Dal.
Subsequently, the two groups made a series of expulsion announcements. Sharad Yadav became one of the first casualties when the majority group in the PAC expelled him from the post of party president and appointed Deve Gowda in his place. BJP leaders themselves are sceptical about the gains their party would accrue.
In fact, the split may prove to be a bigger headache for the BJP in particular and the NDA in general, than to the secular opposition. Barely 24 hours after the Janata Dal split, power equations begun to change within the NDA, and even within the BJP. There were reports within the constituents of the NDA that the developments vis-a-vis the Janata Dal were a part of an elaborate strategy initiated by then Defence Minister and Samata Party leader George Fernandes to secure greater clout within the NDA at the expense of the BJP. It is no secret that Vajpayee enjoys little support or authority within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It is also well known that since the time he became Prime Minister, Vajpayee has had to reckon with many RSS and BJP leaders, including Home Minister L.K. Advani.
Time and again, he has had to fall back on allies such as the Trinamool Congress and the Telugu Desam Party to get his views to prevail over those of the RSS leadership and even Advani. In fact, section of the BJP have termed the so-called “re-unification” of the Janata Dal a Vajpayee-inspired manoeuvre aimed at increasing the BJP’s dependence on other constituents of the NDA. Many people in the Sangh Parivar, especially those opposed to Vajpayee, have spoken out against the entry of the Janata.
Top RSS leaders too are opposed to the idea of the Janata Dal joining the NDA. In fact, that group of Janata Dal leaders who favour an alliance with the NDA initiated efforts to placate RSS leaders such as K. Sudarshan and H.V. Seshadri. However, the Sangh Parivar leaders, particularly Sudarshan, refused to budge and called the Janata Dal leadership a bunch of unreliable politicians.
8. How many RSS activists were caught burning Sikhs during 84′ anti-Sikh riots?
Give me one RSS man who is accused or convicted for 1984 Sikh riots. The Congress falsely arrested few RSS workers and couldn’t find any evidence against them.
9. Why did UP 1992 BJP government give sworn affidavit to the Central Govt to protect Ayodhya Masjid?
Let this question be answered by Congress and BJP ministers……….
10. Why did Mohan Bhagwat call Lord Ram, a Mahapurush, not God, after Allahabad court judgement?
God descended as a human and lived as an ideal person. Hence, God Rama is called as a Mahapurush.
Tweeple scared me saying Amaresh Misra is the biggest abuser and so I should refrain from tweeting or interacting with him. As I am known for tweeting in favour of BJP and Modi most of the time, I thought approaching Mr. Misra would be very difficult, but I was wrong. I asked all the controversial questions without any hesitation getting prepared to be abused in response. On the contrary, when I interacted with him, he was very humble and honest in his approach. Moreover, he is a senior journalist and my fraternity member so I will always hold that respect for him. This was amazing experience and it truly shows, “darr ke aage jeet hai.” – Vaidehi Sachin
Excerpts of an interview.
Have you ever announced reward for Narendra Modi’s killing?
That was again a political-rhetorical retort to Sanghi Tweepies announcing rewards to people who will kill Congress leaders and Muslims. It was not literal.
Did you ever threatened girls of killing, abducting and raping them?
Never. At most I asked largely, fake female handles how would, they feel if something like what happened to Muslim women in Gujarat happened to them? I was angry at Arun Poorie for posing as a liberal and endorsing Modi. Double standards; so I tweeted how would, Arun Poorie feel if something like Gujarat happened to his daughter?
Do you think Twitter has become battleground for arch rival political parties?
Yes it has. Political clashes are witnessed on Twitter nowadays. I would say that in many respects, it has replaced fist-fights, street battles, even paan shops, sites of verbal duels between political parties, of yore.
Looking at 2014 elections what is the positive and negative prospects of social media?
I can’t think about a negative aspect, as Twitter has given a new platform for ideas and politics that practice hate. At the same time, Twitter has forced secular-liberal-left forces to adopt a more aggressive, tit for tat position against the right wing. This is a positive development.
Can these keyboard samurai’s attract votes for their respective parties for victory?
Yes. I think Congress, BJP, regional parties and Leftists have yet not grasped the full scope of Twitter, Facebook and social media. Disillusionment with mainstream media–something which you will find surprisingly in the Right and the Left in equal measure–has led to a virtual explosion of social media as a forum for debate and ideological-political battles. This will surely impact the 2014 elections.
Do you like to share your journey as an author, historian, film writer, politician and twitter abuser? (as most of the rivals call you)
Ha! It is not fair to call me a twitter abuser as out of my 30,000 odd tweets so far, only 5% must have used abuses. I started my political career as a, student leader of Naxalite formations in Allahabad University. We won elections and I always believed in limited, POLITICAL use of violence against the right wing. Then I switched over to journalism, civil liberty activism. Being a MA/PHD in Modern History, I wrote several books, which got published, including a biography of Lucknow, the true story of Mangal Pandey, and `War of Civilizations: India 1857 AD’, a 2000 page, 2 volume work on India’s first war of Independence. Released by Shri Hamid Ansari, India’s Vice-President, in early 2008 to commemorate 150th anniversary of 1857, the book got International recognition as the first historical narrative written from an Indian perspective and the first work that claimed the British killed 10 million Indians between 1857-67. This was the world’s first holocaust.
I had written a film script on UP gangsters. After I showed it to Tigmanshu Dhulia, my Allahabadi friend, director of the award winning film `Paan Singh Tomar’, he took it to Saif Ali Khan. Saif liked the concept. Then Tigmanshu and I rewrote the story and the screenplay. That is how `Bullet Raja’, my first script to be made into a film, was born. Bullet Raja is releasing on 29th November, 2013.
Do you agree that sometimes you go very vulgar with tweet posts?
No. I do not get vulgar. Vulgarity in itself is a class conscious term. What is vulgar for the upper classes might be part of the everyday life of the peasantry and the working classes. Also, what is `vulgar’ in metros might be the norm in rugged/hard-boiled centres of Indian culture/civilisation like UP and Bihar.
Basically I abuse when I or Congress/Left/Secular forces/Muslims get abused in the most vile manner. My abuses are not personal; they are part of political tactics.
What culture people are representing by such conducts on social network?
RSS-Shiv Sena-MNS-right wing abuses carry a political motive. They abuse with a purpose in mind: creating verbal terror among their opponents. A Marxist assessment will reveal that reactionary/right-wing forces have always used terror as a political tool to suppress the masses. When someone like me with a Left background hits back, I am answering right-wing. White terror with pro-people red terror!
This is the political, tactical part of abuses I was talking about in your last question.
Will you also abuse me, if I write something in favour of Modi or RSS and against Congress or its leader? Or you will debate with logical grounds?
I don’t abuse women per se unless I think Sanghis are using a fake women handle. 90% of my tweets present logical arguments. I am an author who has written several acclaimed books. But in a street battle you cannot offer the other cheek. You have to answer violence with violence. If a lumpen molests your sister or wife, you won’t sit back and debate logically; you will try to fight back with whatever you have; similarly, when someone is not interested in logic, only wants to abuse in social media, then u have to shut him up in the language he understands.
Who is your strength?
My firm belief in what I am doing is right; my indigenous Marxist ideology; my Sanatani Hindu roots; my revolutionary understanding of Islam; my pro-1857, pro-Hindu/Muslim unity nationalism, and the political support base across party lines, I have built over the years which includes everyone from Shankaracharya Swarupanand Saraswati to Maoists to Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh.
You said 26/11 terror attack was planned and done by RSS and Mossad, how can you prove this?
I can prove this easily. Why am I associated with a mainstream political party if what I said had no truth?
Do you mean Kasab was hired by RSS? If yes, then in Maharashtra and Centre, Government is of Congress, why RSS members were not caught and punished?
Terrorism is an industry, a business; an Islamophobic politics. Billions of dollars are involved. All intelligence agencies are related. They have a common agenda to demonize Muslims, target Islam as an enemy of the world at large in the post-Soviet Russia era. 26/11 was a false flag operation. Real aim was to kill Karkare as the latter, an ex-RAW man, had traced the roots of bomb blasts in India from Saadhvi Pragya/ Raj Kumar Purohit, to Modi-RSS-Mossad and infiltration in India’s Military Intelligence (MI). There is no Indian Mujahideen (IM). It is a creation of IB. All bomb blasts after 1993 Mumbai blasts have been carried out by the RSS-Mossad alliance with generous help from ISI! Yes; if you don’t believe me, read the charge-sheet of Raj Kumar Purohit. Why was Purohit planning to kill Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief? Because Purohit believed Bhagwar took Rs. 3 Crore from ISI!
What is your opinion about RSS and Modi? Why you hate them?
Nothing personal. I hate their politics. In 1947, India achieved Independence. The country also got divided. RSS holds that if Muslims got Pakistan, Hindus should get a Hindu Rashtra. RSS’ logic is flawed. Pandit Nehru and Congress fought against Muslim League and Jinnah opposing the `two nation theory’ that countries can be built on a religious base. Nehru was a Marxist and he knew nations are built by people of diverse religious-ethnic backgrounds who share territory, economic and cultural ties. Economy, culture, politics, not religion, should form the basis of a nation-state. But by advocating Hindu Rashtra, RSS is actually strengthening Jinnah’s line of argument. We can never allow that. India is a secular state. It is not, and can never be, a Hindu Rashtra, a Hindu Pakistan. RSS-Modi are helping foreign forces like US-Israel to dominate India. We have been the victim of British colonialism. We will not allow RSS-Modi to create conditions for enslavement of India by the West. Plus, Muslims are not the real target of RSS-US-Israel combine. Their main purpose is to allow the loot of Indian resources—land of the peasants, forest produce of tribals, Indian minerals/diamond-gold-silver mines —by corporates. Communal politics helps corporates as it keeps people divided, fighting against each other; while corporates make money, exploiting both Hindus and Muslims.
Are you only against 2002 riots and justify all other killings and riots in different state? Or you consider all these killings were brutal?
I am against all riots, the very politics of communalism which can only survive by forcing people to kill each other in the name of community, creed etc. This is medieval barbarism in contemporary garb; it is antithetical to the very concept of modernity, strides made by weaker sections and women in all walks of life. Women in fact are the worst sufferers of communal politics.
Do you agree, you are the most misunderstood tweepal on social network?
No; maybe I was misunderstood at one point. But my Uttar Pradesh and Muslim base was always intact. Now, if you see apart from politics, my TL has become a forum for Urdu and Hindi poetry—which is great.
You have equal number of followers and whom you following, all this is attention seeking? Or publicity stunt to remain in news?
You have researched my ID profile well; shows you are a good journalist, unlike many today. But I like to follow new entrants with similar views as it might give them the encouragement they need.
What makes you angry on social network, other than Congress critics?
Abuses directed against Muslims, Sanatani-liberal Hindus, liberals in general—in fact anything unfair and unjust.
Any message for tweepals in 140 characters?
Ghaziyon Mein Boo Rahegi Jab Talak Imaan Ki, Takht-e-London Tak Chalegee Tegh Hindustan Ki(recited by Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857).
Priti Gandhi is an on ground foot soldier of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) who is also actively representing the party on social media sites. Priti can be termed as the warrior of BJP’s social network and her only aim is to support Narendra Modi for becoming prime minister of this country. She is known as @MrsGandhi on twitter, sometimes people also make humour out of it. Mrs. Gandhi spoke about the influence of social media in mainstream politics and how the medium can’t be overlooked in an exclusive interview with our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin.
What makes you spend time and interact with unidentified people in virtual world at the cost of spending time with familiar people in real world?
I often tell my ‘real’ life friends that I belong to two parallel worlds which are absolutely different from each other. If you ask me to choose between the two, I won’t be able to do so because both are extremely vital for me.
Not only for me, but for many like us the virtual world has become similar to one big family of different types of people coming together, from across the globe. While there are many who agree with you, there are also those who compel you to think and view things in a different light and many a times, it’s a better perspective. It makes you realise that there are many other point of views out there, which at times maybe better than yours. It’s a continuous learning process.
What does it take to become a twitter celebrity? What makes you so popular in the online world?
Honestly, I never thought of myself as a “Twitter Celebrity”, but yes, I am extremely grateful to all those who consider me worth following and have added to my huge follower count. It feels good to know that what you’re writing is read by almost 30,000 people and they’re giving a thought to your point of view. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoy all the attention I receive on social media.
Sometimes I’m told that I’m popular because of my handle – @MrsGandhi but I feel eventually it’s the substance in your communication that draws people to you and retains them there.
What I feel is that what makes me popular on these sites, is my honesty and blunt approach and the fact that I’m just being myself.
How do you see social media’s role in changing political course of the country?
social media has created ripples in the political scene not just in India but across the globe. Whether it’s the Presidential election in United States of America or the Egypt uprising, a huge part of the credit in these political success stories is enjoyed by the social media. Even in India, this medium is now looked upon as a force to reckon with and a voice that cannot be overlooked.
I believe social media has the power to set the agenda for the Mainstream Media which in turn influences a much larger population.
One classic example of the social media calling the shots would be the appointment of Narendra Modi as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. The pressure the social media exerted to see their favourite poster boy take charge of this prestigious position and lead the party became too much for it to ignore which led to decisions being taken under the influence of social media.
Issues like the provocative Akbaruddin Owaisi’s speech would never have been taken up by the concerned authorities had it not been for social media.
Even though over 2 per cent population of India is on twitter and over 7 per cent on Facebook, only a handful of people dominates political discourse on social media, most seems uninterested?
I beg to differ. Infact, I see tremendous participation on social media by all types of people from various walks of life. At times, some may be more popular than others but everyone here has an equal opportunity to voice an opinion or raise a question. If the opinion/question makes sense, it goes viral instantly and due recognition is given.
Can we afford to have an unrestricted social media without any government control, intervention and censorship?
This question instantly brings to my mind the very unfortunate and upsetting episode of what twitter termed as #GOIblocks
Without any provocation, the government suddenly decided to block 14 prominent voices on a renowned social media platform.
No legitimate reasons were being given for blocking these handles, all of who were Right Wingers questioning government policies and decisions. Many actually compared this episode with the emergency.
social media is a medium where people discuss, ask questions and look for solutions to the issues closest to their heart. I believe, it’s a revolution that is here to stay and a democratic country like ours should only welcome it.
A very interesting contrast, I would like to highlight here is how the use of social media for some has become a major disadvantage compared to someone like Narendra Modi who has taken complete advantage of this medium to reach out to people and convey his message loud and clear, making him the most popular politician in the country today.
How does it affect you emotionally? Do you get attached to the people online, without even meeting them? Do they become real life friends/foes?
This question brought tears to my eyes. On the 7th of October, we lost a very prominent, active social media activist to liver failure. It was amazing to see how people on Twitter get together not only to collect funds for his treatment amounting to almost Rs. 15 lakhs, but also personally monitored his condition while he was in hospital. Sadly, we lost him. Interestingly, even his last rights were conducted from another social media activist’s home since he was hospitalised in a different city away from home. In today’s world, such things are unheard. However, I saw a sea of humanity come together as a family, on social media. Truly an example!
Does right-wing control social media hurting ethos of the country?
The fact is that no one can control social media. Not the right wing, nor the left wing or any political party. It’s clearly the voice of the common man who is so fed up of the system and one sided communication. These circumstances made him/her to take social media as a platform where he can ask questions and dismiss policies. It’s important to understand where all this is coming from.
Will online support for Narendra Modi convert into votes?
In a country where there are more than 16 crore internet users and surveys also have predicted that there are 160 parliamentary constituencies where social media and the internet will have a huge impact. It is but obvious that the online support Narendra Modi and the BJP enjoy will convert to votes. The ripple effect that the social media creates will be a major advantage for the party.
What is politically more relevant – Twitter or Facebook?
Both the social media sites — Twitter and Facebook — are totally different from each other with unique features and advantages. Currently, Facebook has a wider reach than Twitter. However, I feel Twitter is slightly more relevant than Facebook in setting an agenda. Eventually, both compliment each other.
Is social media killing reading habits? Do you get most of the news through social media?
I would not say Social Media is killing reading habits because a lot of reading these days is done online. Infact, you get an idea of who is reading what and what’s worth reading. I would say, Social Media encourages people to read and learn more. I personally get most of my news online.
Will you feel uneasy if your cellphone is taken away from you for 48 hours?
Nowadays, without my cell phone, I would feel like a fish without water. I can’t even imagine life without my mobile phone, anymore.
Anurag Kejriwal is the president of Lok Satta Party, Delhi. He believes in inclusive development which will benefit the residents of New Delhi and Delhi irrespective of region, religion, language and caste. His party also wants to empower citizens. Anurag Kejriwal spoke about how social media will influence the mindset of people while making decision pertaining to politics with our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin.
What makes you spend time and interact with unknown people in virtual world at the cost of spending time with known people in real world?
A person can only meet a limited number of people in real life but in virtual world he can interact with many, share/exchange ideas/views and get to know issues from a different perspective. Virtual world people shed inhibitions and speak more clearly unless you are hooked with the wrong set of people.
What does it take to become a twitter celebrity? What makes you so popular in the online world?
I don’t know and it is not very important for me.
How do you view the role of social media in changing political course of the country?
The role of social media has become increasingly important due to the changing social demographics. With families becoming nuclear and life pressures increasing lot of people prefer to spend time in the virtual world and connect with each other. Maybe in the next 10 years social media will occupy a prominent space in politics.
Even though over 2 per cent population of India is on twitter and over 7 per cent is on Facebook, only a handful of people dominates political discourse on social media, most seems uninterested?
Presently it is new and most are immature but it will evolve with time. In the next 10 years, people will gain maturity. They will begin respecting the social media and form their own opinions.
Can we afford to have an unrestricted social media without any govt control, intervention and censorship?
We should have no government control – it should be self-regulated. In the event of trolls or issues we should have a resource to complain but it should not be regulated. Minimum regulation should be there but India does not understand the meaning of minimum or adequate – either it is no or full.
How does it affect you emotionally? Do you get attached to the people online, without even meeting them? Do they become real life friends/foes ?
At times yes – if you have interacted with people for a considerable time then they become your virtual friends and like real life you tend to be concerned about them and their issues do affect you.
Does right-wing control social media hurt the ethos of the country?
Not it doesn’t affect.
Will online support for Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi convert into votes?
Not presently but yes in future social media could play a major role in influencing people’s mindset. Presently Indians still want person to person contact.
What is politically more relevant –Twitter or facebook ?
Twitter
Is social media killing reading habits? Do you get most of the news through social media?
Yes. Especially for newspapers
Will you feel uneasy if your cellphone is taken away from you for 48 hours?
Oh definitely it will affect me.
What is your own definition pertaining to Social Media?
It’s a place to interact, exchange ideas, be updated with what world thinks and how.
Is social media a ‘major threat? Is it a boon or bane?
If used properly social media is a boon otherwise it is a bane.
Do you think Social media will ever dominate or overpower main stream media?
Not in the near future maybe 20 years down the line.
What is your message to our readers, those who are on social network?
People should interact but with controls. They should maintain self-regulation.
How social network has benefitted you in your growth in all aspirations?
It has been a boon to me and other thinkers and writers as we can voice our opinions on any burning issue and do not have to really wait for our views to appear in newspapers. Social networking is not controlled by any individual so I value the freedom it offers. My views reach out to people in the world in nano seconds enabling a reaction too at the same speed. Social networking sites make the saying come true; ‘strike when the coal is hot.’ I always do that so the effect multiplies in my life as my experience says.
Do you think social media will ever dominate or overpower main stream media?
Yes. It is seen that new technology takes over the world. It can be likened to the fact that old generation makes way for the new. Now in smart phone era do you remember pagers! Gradually it has to happen.
Do you agree that people have lost contact with the real world being on social network?
There is a fine line between the real and the virtual world. Communicating enables you to reach out and network with known and unknown people. Social network in fact brings us closer to the real world.
Is social network is an addition to the 21st century society?
Definitely so and believe me social networking will be a major player in the next few years and reckoned as information generating machine.
Describe the disadvantage of social network.
Irresponsible and cunning people can use social network to malign a person’s image especially criminal and anti-social element, disperse rumours and harm people’s personal life by spreading malicious messages. Compared to advantages, disadvantages are very narrow.
What are the advantages of social network?
Dispersing information, effective means of communication, keeping abreast with national and international happenings, voicing opinions can put social networking in favourable position and multiply your creativity without obstacle of any ideological ism.
What is your message to our readers, those who are on social network?
Use social networking as a tool of communication, to bridge gaps between our world and outside world, make it work in your favour, use it positively to reach out to family and friends and respect each other’s privacy. Latest communication and technology with human face is a blessing for budding stars. USE IT OR LOSE IT. CHOICE IS YOURS.
Abhay Tiwari is the founder of Sambal NGO. He is also an author, educator, motivational speaker, a business consultant and entrepreneur. He spoke about the power of social media and how it can change people’s lives with our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin.
What is your own definition of Social Media?
For me Social media is a platform to share content, opinions, insights, experiences. For individuals it is a way to connect and share content with friends, politicians, journalist and like-minded people. For businesses it’s a way to look into what people are saying about their brand, product and services. For Politicians it is a platform to connect with their constituents.
Is social media a major threat? Is it boon or bane?
Social Media is a power of people and just like any other power, even this platform comes with its share of threat issues. Today we talk about social media threat, spread of misinformation which can be done both unintentionally and intentionally. Yes it is a threat if organizations, be it political, corporate, or governmental, spread fake information through a fake profile, making it appear as though it came from a grassroot movement or an individual, in an attempt to gain legitimacy for themselves or smear their opponents. We need to identify it as a serious lapse in the ethical conduct on the Internet, and as a potential threat to the open and constructive Social Media. According to me it is boon if we use it with some responsibility.
Do you think social media is fueling communal passions?
No, it is being fueled by some political parties to gain caste based vote, although social media should not be used irresponsibly, it should not become a platform for those trying to foment trouble. There is always a need for an oversight mechanism to control the spread of misinformation not only on social media but every media. Blaming social media for fueling communal passions is a way for government to come out from their law and order responsibilities.
Do you think social media propaganda can really benefit politician or political party to get voters to polling booth?
Yes it can benefit politician or political party. This is because, at its most basic, politics is about people. It’s about communicating with them and delivering a message. What better way to do this than through a medium such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube? Traditionally, politicians have relied on letterboxing pamphlets, mail-outs and public advertisements, and while these can be effective, they’re also costly, time-consuming and often require significant manpower. Social media removes these barriers and provides an instant method of connecting with the electorate.
Sharing information about oneself has become so easier with the help of the social sites?
Yes, Social media has brought about a hyper connectivity that was unimaginable just 20 years ago. The voiceless suddenly have a voice that can be heard throughout the world. We can stay in close contact with our friends even though they are on the other side of the world. If we find something interesting, we can share it with our friends and start a conversation around it within minutes.
Teenagers are becoming more socially awkward and growing up having no sense of manners in a public forum?
The impact is both negative and positive. There are some good things that come out of social media for our teens, but it is true that Teenagers are becoming more socially awkward and growing up having no sense of manners in a public forum. Social media has allowed them to take their life online and instead of saying goodbye to friends at school and waiting to see them the next day, they just go home and jump on their favorite social media network and interact with them for the rest of the day.
Teens today who are highly engaged in social media are having an identity crisis. Not all of them are, but many teens are someone else on social media than they are when they are with their family. Social media has made it easy for teens to not be consist and have a “double life.” Every day I see students who tweet and post things on Facebook that totally contradict what their parents, or others that know them personally, think of them. Social media has and is changing the way they live.
The problems this new online society creates are not going away and will continue to grow. Parents must get off the sidelines and get involved! They have the responsibility to protect their children and be aware of what is going on in the online world. Investigate and help your child adjust privacy settings.
How social network has benefited you in your growth in all aspirations?
Using social media, I am able to interact with people around the globe. Social Media, also allowed me to express my thoughts and ideas through writing blogs and notes. It gave me a platform to speak on various burning issues and deliver the fact finding at root level. At the time of Anna’s movement against corruption, people started talking against Democracy, against Parliament and against our Judicial system, I used social media like youtube, twitter and facebook to educate people about the power of Indian Democracy, dignity of Parliament and value of our Judicial system. I wrote few article explaining advantages and disadvantages of Lokpal bill, through social media I was able to deliver my message to aggressive Indian youth.
Do you think social media will ever dominate or overpower main stream media?
No, Social media cannot dominate or overpower main stream media. Social networking reshaped worldwide communication significantly increased the speed of news spread, and connected the world stronger than ever. Although social networking has been such a revolutionary invention for the society, and many researchers have turned towards social media to explore trending topics, mainstream media still remains as the origin of the majority of the news discussed in social networking sites.
Do you agree that people have lost contact with the real world after being on social network?
In my opinion social networking sites on one hand provides a way to connect to our dear ones on the other hand it becomes danger for our culture and society.We spend too much time on social media it is the technology, social media has no fault in itself, we should have control on ourself whether we use it with wrong intention or good. Social networking sites are made to help you connect with others any time. But it depends on how you utilize it. We as a society have become so engulfed in social media that we are failing to realize the level of dependency we now have for it. We are getting addicted, and just like an addict we have built up a tolerance that requires more of the drug to keep us satisfied. Even worse, just like an addict we cannot function normally without being on the drug.
Social network is an addition to the 21st Century Society?
If someone spending too much time using Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media — so much so that it interferes with other aspects of daily life, surely it will become an addition. There’s no official medical recognition of social networking addiction as a disease or disorder. Still, the cluster of behaviours associated with heavy or excessive use of social media has become the subject of much discussion and research. Addiction usually refers to compulsive behaviour that leads to negative effects. In most addictions, people feel compelled to do certain activities so often that they become a harmful habit, which then interferes with other important activities such as work or school. In that context, a social networking addict could be considered someone with a compulsion to use social media to excess–constantly checking Facebook status updates or “stalking” people’s profiles on Facebook, for example, for hours on end.
Describe the disadvantages of social network.
One of the major disadvantages of using social networking websites are the students get addicted to it, they used to spend hours in those websites which can obviously degrade the student’s academic performance. Using social networking sites till mid night or even more which can obviously lead to health related problems. Spending too much time on Facebook, twitter or other social networking sites keep us away from family members. Some people may provide detailed information like phone numbers, address which is very dangerous because they can be easily tracked down by strangers.
What are the advantages of social network?
Social networking provides a great way for you to stay in touch with people who may have moved away. Normally, people try to stay in touch with friends via phone calls and the occasional letter or e-mail, but busy lives make it difficult to maintain contact. However, social networking is such a regularly used medium that it’s easy to stay in touch with people even when they move away.
You can use social networking to get feedback on ideas immediately, or to ask questions and get answers quickly. If you’re developing a product or even just an idea, you can bounce it off your friends and social networking contacts and find out what they think about it. You can also ask questions and receive answers in near-real-time, if your contacts know the answer or if you’re a student in touch with teachers.
What is your message to our readers, those who are on social network?
Social media has the power to make the world a better place, and social media success will come when you use it with responsibility. Maximize the use of social media for awareness and social growth. While at work or with family, limit the time you spend attending to your social media sites, don’t get addicted to it. Use good judgment about content and respect cyber laws. Do not share personal or confidential information. Do not use language that is threatening, defamatory, illegal, obscene, infringing, harassing, abusive, hateful or embarrassing to any person or entity.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for addressing the problems of over a million Indian workers after that country adopted a new labour policy. 
French is their mother tongue and they have been born and lived for four generations far away from India, but a thirst to know more about the land where their forefathers came from draws them to India regularly. 
With the Lok Sabha election just a few months away every party is trying its best to woo voters. While some parties are making promises to improve governance some others have announced several welfare schemes to attract voters. On the other hand, Brian Miranda Congress corporator from Vakola had alleged that Congress MP Priya Dutt has not carried out any developmental work in her constituency. He made this statement after visiting the BMC ground at Kalina for having a look at the deteriorating situation of the ground. Miranda also added that leaders like Priya have become useless for the Congress party.
Cold weather, with its low relative humidity, wreaks havoc on our skin, making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it’s deprived of moisture and this dryness often aggravates itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as ‘winter itch’.
Nowadays, discussions are held on social networking sites about RSS and BJP. Congress party workers have been questioning the ideology of RSS and also are attacking the organization on twitter. Congress worker, Amaresh Misra had asked ten questions to RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav and our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin about RSS’s past and activities undertaken by it. Vaidehi Sachin replied to the questions asked byAmaresh Misra. 
Tweeple scared me saying Amaresh Misra is the biggest abuser and so I should refrain from tweeting or interacting with him. As I am known for tweeting in favour of BJP and Modi most of the time, I thought approaching Mr. Misra would be very difficult, but I was wrong. I asked all the controversial questions without any hesitation getting prepared to be abused in response. On the contrary, when I interacted with him, he was very humble and honest in his approach. Moreover, he is a senior journalist and my fraternity member so I will always hold that respect for him. This was amazing experience and it truly shows, “darr ke aage jeet hai.” – Vaidehi Sachin
Priti Gandhi is an on ground foot soldier of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) who is also actively representing the party on social media sites. Priti can be termed as the warrior of BJP’s social network and her only aim is to support Narendra Modi for becoming prime minister of this country. She is known as @MrsGandhi on twitter, sometimes people also make humour out of it. Mrs. Gandhi spoke about the influence of social media in mainstream politics and how the medium can’t be overlooked in an exclusive interview with our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin.
Abhay Tiwari is the founder of Sambal NGO. He is also an author, educator, motivational speaker, a business consultant and entrepreneur. He spoke about the power of social media and how it can change people’s lives with our Group Editor Vaidehi Sachin.